Physiotherapeutic mat

ABSTRACT

A mat for the physiotherapeutic treatment of human legs and feet is a composite structure including two tiers or layers, i.e., an elongated base layer of an elastic material having an upper surface provided with lump-like projections and a plurality of cover elements superimposed upon the upper surface of said base layer and extending transversely across the base layer. Each of said cover elements has a sinuous profile as seen in a direction transversely to said base layer. Magnetic fastener means make it possible to secure the cover elements in various desired positions to the base layer.

1 PHYSIOTHERAPEUTIC MAT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Thephysiotherapeutic treatment of human feet and legs calls frequently forexercising mats made of rubber, or a like elastic material whose uppersurface is undulated. Such mats have an elongated shape and are intendedto form walking surfaces. The undulations of the surface of such matswhen walked upon result in an exercise or massage beneficial to musclesof the feet and to the muscles of the portions of legs both below andabove the knee as well as to all the joints involved in such kind ofexercise. The use of exercising mats is indicated for both preventiveand curative medical purposes. The undulations required for differentpersons, and more particularly the spacing between contiguousundulations required for different persons, may vary within relativelywide limits. Asa result, distributers of exercising mats of the kindunder consideration must stock mats having undulations of various sizes.In families where children as well as adults are supposed to walk on anexercising mat, generally several mats must be provided for the severalmembers of the family. This is inconvenient, particularly in view of therelative bulk of such exercising mats, and also because of the expenseinvolved in procuring several mats.

In some instances it is medically indicated to exercise on walking matswhose surface is substantially flat rather than sinusoidal and haslump-like projections, knobs or burls. This increases the difficulty fordealers to keep an adequate supply of exercising mats in stock, andmakes it difficult for users of mats to keep in readiness combinationsof mats having various desired surface characteristics.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide anexercising mat for physiotherapy which is universally applicable, i.e.,that can be adapted to conform to any specific surface requierement, orrequirements.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Mats embodying this invention include anelongated base layer of an elastic material having an upper surfaceprovided with lum'plike projections. Such mats further include aplurality of cover elements superimposed upon said upper surface of saidbase layer and extending in strip-like fashion transversely across saidbase layer. Each of said cover elements has a sinuous profile as seen ina direction transversely to said base layer. Composite mats embodyingthis invention further include fastener means adapted to secure saidcover elements to saidbase layer and to vary the positions of said coverelements relative to said base layer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a portionof a mat embodying the present invention showing but two cover elementson the base layer of which elements one is in position and the other isabout to be placed in position; and

FIG. 2 is a top-plan view of a mat according to FIG. 1, some portions ofthe mat shown in FIG. 2 being broken away.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Reference character M has beenapplied to indicate an elastic base layer of natural rubber, or of arubberlike substance, i.e., of an elastomer. Base layer M has an uppersurface provided with lump-like projections N which may be more or lessprismatic. Projections N stimulate the muscles of the feet and legs ofany person walking barefoot on a base layer M.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a plurality of magnetizable units or plates Eis arranged along both longitudinal edges of baselayer M and spacedequidistantly in a direction longitudinally of base layer M. A pluralityof cover elements L of which but two are shown in FIG.l is superimposedupon-the upper surface of base layer M and extend in strip-like fashiontransversely across base layer M. Cover elements L have a sinuousprofile as seen in a direction transversely to base layer M. This hasbeen clearly shown in FIG]. Cover elements L are also made of naturalrubber, or a rubber-like substance, or an elastomer. Permanent magnetsMa are inserted into the lower surfaces of cover elements L andcooperate with units or plates E to affix cover elements L to base layerM in any desired position relative to base layer M.

While FIG. 1 shows cover means L of which each is provided with onesingle permanent magnet Ma, the cover means may be provided with severalsuch magnets, if desired. The positioning of permanent magnets Ma maydiffer from that shown in FIG. 1 as long as the permanent magnets Ma andthe magnetizable elements E form a system of fasteners allowing toadjust the position of cover means L in a direction longitudinally ofbase layer M.

While magnetic fasteners E,Ma are the preferred way. of flexiblyattaching cover means L to base layer M, this invention is not limitedto magnetic fasteners since other means could be applied to attach covermeans L to base layer M.

As indicated in FIG.l cover means L are provided on the upper surfacesthereof with lump-like projections similar to those provided on theupper surface of base layer M arid serving the same purpose as thelump-like projections on the upper surface of base layer M. Preferablythe lump-like projections on cover elements L are lower, and spacedfarther apart, than the projections N on the upper surface of base layerM.

It will be apparent that walking on the base layer M with the coverelements L removed from it provides one kind of exercise, and thatwalking on the cover element L affixed to the base layer M providesanother different kind of exercise.

Exercising mats are often used in bathrooms, on walks around swimmingpools or, more generally speaking, in locations where water is likely tobe spilled. To adapt the mat for use in such places base layer M isprovided as shown in FIG.2 with perforations Lo, forming passagesallowing the flow of liquids, and more specifically of water, acrossbase layer'M.

Mats embodying this invention may also be used in bath tubs as ordinarybath tub mats. If such use is intended, the cover elements L are removedand the base I layer is placed upside down into a bathtub.

I claim as my invention: 1. A mat for the physiotherapeutic treatment ofhuman feet and legs including a. an elongated base layer of an elasticmaterial having an upper surface provided with lump-like projections;

b. a plurality of cover elements superimposed upon said upper surface ofsaid base layer and extending in strip-like fashion transversely acrosssaid base layer, each of said cover elements having a sinuous profile asseen in a direction transversely to said base layer; and

c. fastener means adapted to secure said cover elements to said baselayer and to vary the positions of said cover elements relative to saidbase layer.

2. A mat as specified in claim 1 wherein said base layer and said coverelements consist substantially on an elastomeric material.

3. A mat as specified in claim 1 wherein said fastener means include aplurality of magnetizable units arlowing the flow of liquids across saidbase layer,

It i i t

1. A mat for the physiotherapeutic treatment of human feet and legsincluding a. an elongated base layer of an elastic material having anupper surface provided with lump-like projections; b. a plurality ofcover elements superimposed upon said upper surface of said base layerand extending in strip-like fashion transversely across said base layer,each of said cover elements having a sinuous profile as seen in adirection transversely to said base layer; and c. fastener means adaptedto secure said cover elements to said base layer and to vary thepositions of said cover elements relative to said base layer.
 2. A matas specified in claim 1 wherein said base layer and said cover elemEntsconsist substantially on an elastomeric material.
 3. A mat as specifiedin claim 1 wherein said fastener means include a plurality ofmagnetizable units arranged along both longitudinal edges of said baselayer and spaced in a direction longitudinally thereof, said fastenermeans further including permanent magnets inserted into the lowersurfaces of said cover elements and cooperating with said magnetizableunits to position said cover elements relative to said base layer.
 4. Amat as specified in claim 1 wherein the upper surfaces of said coverelements are provided with lump-like projections.
 5. A mat as specifiedin claim 1 wherein said base layer is provided with perforations formingpassages allowing the flow of liquids across said base layer.